How do I go about safely reintroducing 2 bully hens after 2 weeks of "chicken jail"?

[Aimless-Willow]

This whole bully chicken debacle is actually why I joined this form. After the smallest one out of my flock that I adopted, was getting pecked bloody, I took to Google to try and discover what route I should take to solve the problem.
And it's thanks to this forum I found most of my answers, including the better solution of removing bullies rather than victims.

However, I'm not too sure now that they have been separated for 2 weeks on how I can go about the reintroduction phase. My initial idea was simply to just take them out of jail in the middle of the night and replace them in the coop with my two softies. I don't want to cause any more fights or potentially have any of them get harmed during this, so I want to make sure this is ok or even advised.

TYIA

 

[sourland]

I would introduce one, monitor for a couple of days and then introduce the other. It is very likely that there will be some fighting. Good luck.

 

[Aimless-Willow]

I would introduce one, monitor for a couple of days and then introduce the other. It is very likely that there will be some fighting. Good luck.

Thank you for the advice, would you suggest doing it in the evening as well?

 

[seminolewind]

I was usually one to put pinless peepers on them, or wrap one foot really thick to slow them down.

 

[Aimless-Willow]

I was usually one to put pinless peepers on them, or wrap one foot really thick to slow them down.

I recently looked those up, but had no idea what they were other than blinders?
If so, can those be left on? I'm not sure how they work at all.

 

[aart]

My initial idea was simply to just take them out of jail in the middle of the night and replace them in the coop with my two softies.

That might work, better be down there at the crack of dawn tho to observe.
Where is the jail located?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

 

[Mrs. K]

Also take a look at your run. Make sure there are hideouts, and places where a bird can eat, out of the sight of others eating at a different feed spot.

But with two bullies, and two softies, I am imagining a smaller set up. I would try the pin-less peepers before adding them back. Definitely add one at a time.

What kind of birds? What does your set up look like?

Mrs K

 

[Aimless-Willow]

That might work, better be down there at the crack of dawn tho to observe.
Where is the jail located?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Thankfully our routine together requires me to wake up at the crack of dawn to let them out of the coop, clean and change waters/food. So I don't mind staying around for a little bit longer afterwards to monitor when I do.

The whole set up is unfortunately hidden from view, as it's across the driveway and between two old shipping containers. However I can hear them with the windows down.

The jail is on the other side of the shipping container in a garage on its own. Unfortunately I couldn't get them far enough away that they can't hear each other if they listen hard enough. But they definitely cannot see each other.

I'm terrible with measurements, so I got both pictures of the run and coop, as well as this link to the coop I use for them, as there is measurements inc.
(The long cage hallway in the third pic is a work in progress. Hoping to add more space with it)

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...AIvekjJ4VPccBmySK0Xzltk_GvBubJ1hoCpP4QAvD_BwE

Also take a look at your run. Make sure there are hideouts, and places where a bird can eat, out of the sight of others eating at a different feed spot.

But with two bullies, and two softies, I am imagining a smaller set up. I would try the pin-less peepers before adding them back. Definitely add one at a time.

What kind of birds? What does your set up look like?

Mrs K

Thankfully there is now more items in the run thanks to this site, I had read a few other articles prior to joining that instructed me to try and add a few more vision breaks. So I've been working on putting different things into the run.
Including a giant mirror that completely blocks one of the feeding and watering stations in the underside of the coop

I'm also attaching a long hallway that I plan to add a third food and water station as well as hang treats from the roof (As seen with in the 3rd photo with the wood plank laying against it) for even more space.
A link to the coop I use is in the quote reply just above.

I just ordered the peepers, I'm dubious of any change, the victim has a tendency to freeze up when bullied even a little, so I felt they may be needed. But, I've been super nervous as these girls have been in this jail for 2 weeks now, so I'm fighting the urge to just rush them back into the coop.

Breeds:

softies - 1 buff Orpington/Austrolorp?, 1 leg horn (the victim)

bullies- 1 Barred Rock, 1 Isa Brown.

Thank you both!

 

[Mrs. K]

The orange part is the coop, right? It is pretty small. One more idea to try, is to use cardboard (cheap and easy to manage) put a hole through it, and run the roost through it, taping the cardboard to the back wall and ceiling. Basically dividing your roost into two parts. Put the mean girls on one side, and nice girls on the other.

Keeps them from pecking all night. Just an idea.

Mrs. K

 

[aart]

so I got both pictures of the run and coop,

Do they have access to the space outside the tiny coop/run all the time?
Crowding may be your issue.